Dr Carmel McGrath - Principal

Year 6 Leaders’ Induction Ceremony

Congratulations to all Year 6 students on receiving their student leadership badges at our Induction Ceremony on Monday. We were pleased to see so many families in attendance and thank our special guests the Honourable Trevor Evans, Andrew Kilgour from New Farm RSL and Belinda Hill representing our P&C.  Class teachers Fatima Zayn Al Abidin and Hayden Lawrence did a wonderful job preparing the students for the ceremony which was enjoyed by all. 

P&C AGM – Tuesday 12 March 6-7pm All welcome!

 Professional Development

Leaders In Learning

This week our Year Level Coordinators, Lesley Burridge, Julia Forsberg, Cristian Arredendo, Philip Davies, Rachel Fletcher, Steve Conde and Fatima Zayn Al Abidin, will attend the first of 4 Leadership Professional Learning Days. The series of sessions focus on building the leadership capability across our school. This week’s session ‘Leading Highly Effective Staff Teams’ focuses on the key aspects of highly effective teams. Teamwork is essential in our busy school. The better that people work together and are aligned, the better outcomes the school will achieve. Highly effective teams are more efficient, effective and consistent.

Phonemic Awareness Workshop

Seven of our Prep and Yr 1 teachers will be attending a whole day Phonemic Awareness workshop on Saturday 30^th March. This workshop provides instruction in daily teacher-led oral word play activities to help students develop the decoding skills essential to become proficient readers. Working together in this way demonstrates commitment towards improving the consistency of programs within our school.

 Reading in Classrooms

This week the leadership team will be visiting various classes during reading time to support teachers with feedback and coaching on their programs and student learning.

They will also release teachers to enable them to watch other teachers during reading time. This is a positive way for teachers to learn from one another and develop more consistent high yield strategies.

 Traffic Around Our School

Thank you so much to everyone who has been helping improve the smooth running of our drop off and pick up areas. The processes were established in consultation with our P&C and our neighbours as part of our ongoing Master Planning and Traffic Management planning. Staff volunteer for these duties, but we need everyone’s cooperation with our procedures for this to be successful.  The school’s LOOK OUT program will soon be on our website for your reference.  These expectations are also outlined in our school Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) matrix which was compiled after lengthy consultation in 2018. 

Arriving: Over the past week I have noticed the majority of children being ready to get out of their cars with their belongings and drivers should not leave their vehicle.  This really speeds up the process, so thank you. If you do wish to get out of your car and enter the school, please use an alternate area, such as Hawthorne or Annie Streets.

Leaving: Students should also enter the car from the curb side only as entering from the driver’s side has caused a great deal of concern for student safety. We ask that drivers do not get out of their vehicles in these pick up or drop off zones. If you feel you must, please try to arrive early and find a park in an alternative area, but please beware of yellow lines.

 Full School Review

On 28^th, 29^th March and 01 April we will be participating in our Full School Review.  Every Queensland state school is reviewed by the School Improvement Unit (SIU) at least once every four years.  These reviews are an important part of how the department supports and monitors schools.  The review team will be in our school during this period visiting classes, talking with staff, student leaders, parents and our community and school partners. 

 By the end of the review the team will present us with their findings and make recommendations for our next 4 year period. This dovetails nicely into our Quadrennial School Review which is also scheduled for this year.  With the Review Findings we will then develop our new 2020-2024 School Strategic Plan.  This plan informs the Annual Improvement Plan which forms the planning for our annual budget.

 To register your interest in participating in our review, please contact admin@newfarmss.eq.edu.au or email the SIU at siumb@qed.qld.gov.au

 Also see facts sheet attached.

 School Photos – Monday, 18^th March

• Y1 EXCURSION - Nudgee Beach – 20-21^st March
• Harmony Day – Thursday, 21^st March
• Full School Review (SIU) – 28 March – 1 April
• Last day of Term One – Friday, 5^th April
• Friday 19 April– GOOD FRIDAY
• Monday 22 April – Easter Monday
• First Day Term Two – Tuesday, 23^rd April

Students are still allowed to bring phones to school, but they must be handed into the school office every day. This year we will be implementing a new system to monitor those mobile phones brought to school.  Any student wishing to bring a phone or internet device to school will be required to complete a contract and have the same form signed by his/ her parents.  These forms should be returned to class teachers.

Please note that students who require medication to be administered should bring in their medication (with chemist’s label) and Request to Administer Medication Form or Emergency Medication Form to First Aid.  This is urgent.  If your child required medication last year and no longer requires any this year, kindly advise the office via email on admin@newfarmss.eq.edu.au so that we can update our records accordingly.

2019 Physical Education Swimming Program Terms 1 and Term 4
Years 1 to 6 only
Dear Parents and Carers,
Our Term 1 Physical Education Swimming Program commences week 2 of this term (Wednesday 6 February, Thursday 7 February and Friday 8 February). Term 4 dates are advised in Term 3.
Please note that this is an important and enjoyable part of our school program and it is intended that all children participate. Students may only be excused from a swimming lesson for reasons of illness or injury that preclude them from being able to take part on a particular day.
Our program has been designed in accordance with the Austswim and curriculum guidelines. We will be providing up to three qualified swim instructors for all swimming lessons. This will enable us to focus on safety and supervision, ensure a separation of roles and responsibilities, and provide greater flexibility within lessons. To support the program and ensure excellent adult-to-child ratios we request a modest contribution for swimming lessons.

The Look Out Program is a Pedestrian and Traffic Interaction program that “looks out” for our kids – the implication is one of care and concern. The Look Out program assists the school to help manage the flow of traffic in our 2 minute pick up zone on Annie Street, in an orderly, safe way. The Look Out Monitors are volunteers / representatives of the School. Please be respectful and courteous.

Registration Form

WELCOME BACK TO TUCKSHOP FOR 2019

Our full menu and Flexischools ordering will be available from Monday 4^th February.

TUCKSHOP OPENING HOURS

The tuckshop is open on Monday, Wednesday & Friday

We have different specials available on each of those days:

• Monday - homemade pies and sausage rolls
• Wednesday - pasta and pizza
• Friday - sausage sizzle and nachos

In addition to that, we have a great range of sandwiches, salads, snacks and drinks.

You can order via Flexischools (up until 8am) or over the counter (up until 9am). We accept cash and EFTPOS over the counter.

First and second break (if we are open) - come to the counter for fruit, snacks, cookies and drinks!

Please note - Flexischool orders must be placed by 8am on the day of order.  If you have placed an order and your child is not at school a refund can be made by notifying Flexischools by 8am of that morning.

TUCKSHOP VOLUNTEERING

Each week one class will be responsible for finding volunteers to help out on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and we need the help of at least two volunteers per day.  Each class will get a turn at volunteering and this will run in rotation throughout the year.

We would like the class reps to organise the volunteer roster amongst the parents and helpers, we will be starting from week two with Year 6.  Ideally we would like to have all of next terms volunteers in place by the end of this term so if you are free to help out let your class rep your know your availability as soon as possible.

Vanessa, Rachael and Leanne

WEEK 1 OPENING HOURS

TUESDAY  29^th January 2019 - 8.00am to 10.00am                                   

WEDNESDAY - 30^th January 2019 - 8.00am to 10.00am

 REST OF TERM 1

TUESDAY  8.00am to 9.30am                                   

WEDNESDAY 8.00am to 9.30am                                   

Do you have a boy or girl aged between 5 and 14, that you struggle to get off their mobile phones, televisions and computers and into the great outdoors?

Would they be interested in learning how to tie knots, fish, abseil, bushwalk, camp, canoe, sail, use a map to navigate and other great activities outdoors?

Well, the Brisbane Central Scouts is a great opportunity for you.   

The Joey Scouts ‘Come and Try’ afternoon will be held at 3 to 4pm on Sunday 10^th February at the New Farm State School. While the Cubs and Scouts afternoon will be held at 6:30pm to 8:30pm on Tuesday 19^TH of February at New Farm Hall.

So if you are looking for a program that aims to teach children skills on friendship, belonging, adventure and leadership and offers a hands-on approach to learning, that you just cannot get in the classroom, come along to one of the afternoons for a taste of what Scouting is all about.

                 

For more information contact Adam Gray at:

brisbanecentralscouts@gmail.com or 0418708661

Or Visit: http://brisbanecentral.scoutsqld.com.au/

Brisbane Central Scouts

Gibson Gibson Park

Junior Blaster

1st Feb -15 th Mar | Fri 6-7pm

Master Blaster

1st Feb Feb-22 nd Mar  Fri 5-7.30pm

Information Flyer